Structure and properties of soy protein/poly(butylene succinate) blends with improved compatibility.
A novel environmentally friendly thermoplastic soy protein/polyester blend was successfully prepared by blending soy protein isolate (SPI) with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS). To improve the compatibility between SPI and PBS, the polyester was pretreated by introducing different amounts of urethane and isocyanate groups before blending. The blends containing pretreated PBS showed much finer phase structures because of good dispersion of polyester in protein. Consequently, the tensile strength and modulus of blends increased obviously. A lower glass transition temperature of protein in the blends than that of the pure SPI, which was caused by the improvement of the compatibility between two phases, was observed by dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA). The hydrophobicity, water resistance, and moisture absorption at different humidities of the blends were modified significantly due to the incorporation of PBS.
Li
Yi-Dong
YD
Center for Degradable and Flame-Retardant Polymeric Materials, Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Technology (MoE), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
Zeng
Jian-Bing
JB
Wang
Xiu-Li
XL
Yang
Ke-Ke
KK
Wang
Yu-Zhong
YZ
D002072:Butylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D044367:Phase Transition; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011487:Protein Conformation; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D013718:Tensile Strength
D002072:Butylene Glycols; D011108:Polymers; D030262:Soybean Proteins; C089797:bionole